Nanotechnology General News

(Nanowerk News) Ceres Nanosciences LLLP and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announce a formal agreement to study the potential for a urine-based anti-doping test to detect human growth hormone, or HGH.

The study will utilize the Ceres-patented Nanotrap™, an innovative technology that captures protein particles in body fluids and protects them from degradation when they are extracted for analysis.

“Hopefully this effort, together with our existing technology and knowledge, will pave the way for a broader final study, with the ultimate goal of producing a viable, urine-based test for the detection of illicit human growth hormone use by athletes,” explains Thomas Dunlap, CEO of Ceres.

Under the agreement, USADA will provide funding and research support to accelerate a pre-clinical human trial currently under way at Ceres labs in Manassas. The purpose of the trial, a collaborative project with scientists at George Mason University who developed the technology, is to investigate the potential of this cutting-edge technology to detect HGH in urine.

Preliminary estimates suggest the study will be completed within six months. Based on the findings, Ceres and USADA will plan the next step to further develop the use of the Nanotrap™ in anti-doping efforts.

“We are excited about the opportunity to assist with the promising evolution of this great technology into a sound and practical anti-doping test to detect HGH through urine-based diagnostics,” states Larry Bowers, USADA chief science officer. “This is a great example of the partnerships that must be forged between cutting-edge biotech companies and the anti-doping movement to ensure that the rights of clean athletes are protected.”